Negative pressure wound therapy combined with acoustic pressure wound therapy for infected post surgery wounds: a case series

Acute infection of surgical incision sites often requires specialized wound care in preparation for surgical closure. Optimal therapy for preparing such wounds for a secondary closure procedure remains uncertain. The authors report wound outcomes after administering acoustic pressure wound therapy in conjunction with negative pressure wound therapy with reticulated open-cell foam dressing changes to assist with bacteria removal from open, infected surgical-incision sites in preparation for secondary surgical closure in three patients. Before incorporating acoustic pressure wound therapy at the authors' facility, the average negative pressure wound therapy with reticulated open-cell foam dressing course prior to secondary surgical closure was 30 days; with its addition, two of three patients underwent successful surgical closure with no postoperative complications after 21 and 14 days, respectively; one patient succumbed to nonwound-related complications before wound closure. Larger, prospective studies are needed to evaluate combining negative pressure wound therapy with reticulated open-cell foam dressing and acoustic pressure wound therapy for infected, acute post surgery wounds.     

封闭负压引流术结合重组人表皮生长因子治疗老年性糖尿病溃疡创面疗效分析

目的 探讨封闭负压引流术(VSD)结合重组人表皮生长因子(rhEGF)治疗老年性糖尿病溃疡创面的临床疗效.方法 选择2017年8月—2019年6月64例老年性糖尿病慢性溃疡创面患者为研究对象,随机分成观察组32例与对照组32例,观察组采用封闭负压引流术+重组人表皮生长因子的方法,对照组采用封闭负压引流术+常规换药的方法...     

The clinical and cost effectiveness of externally applied negative pressure wound therapy in the treatment of wounds in home healthcare Medicare patients

Pressure ulcers, a devastating and costly healthcare problem, often occur in home healthcare settings. We sought to determine if these and other chronic wounds treated at home with negative pressure wound therapy close faster and reduce treatment costs compared to conventional therapies. Records for 1,032 Medicare home healthcare patients with 1,170 wounds that failed to respond to previous interventions--and were subsequently treated with negative pressure wound therapy--were reviewed. Reductions in wound area and volume were compared to rates reported by Ferrell in 1993, and costs were analyzed. Ferrell reported trochanteric and trunk pressure ulcers averaging 4.3 cm2, treated with a low-air-loss surface and saline-soaked gauze closed at an average of 0.090 cm2 per day. For comparison to Ferrell's outcomes, we analyzed our Stage III and IV trochanteric and trunk wounds treated with low-air-loss and negative pressure wound therapy. Ours averaged 22.2 cm2 in area and closed at an average of 0.23 cm2 per day. The average 22.2 cm2 wound in our study, treated as described by Ferrell, would take 247 days to heal and cost $23,465. Using negative pressure wound therapy, the wound would heal in 97 days and cost $14,546. The study concluded that negative pressure wound therapy is an efficacious and economical treatment modality for a variety of chronic wounds.     

Temporary coverage of a forehead defect following tumor resection with a hyaluronic acid biological dressing: a case report

Coverage of large skin defects, especially following tumor resection and in patients who are not good candidates for procedures requiring general anesthesia, may require a staged procedure. The use of dermal substitutes to cover the defect until autologous grafting can be performed has been described. Hyaluronic acid biological dressings (HABD) also have been used for the temporary coverage of partial- to full-thickness posttraumatic or postsurgical wounds. An 82-year-old man with cardiopathy presented with an 8 cm x 4 cm ulcerated squamous cell carcinoma on his forehead. Following surgical removal under local anesthesia, the 12 cm x 8 cm defect was covered with HABD, which was removed immediately before the scheduled surgical closure (21 days later). At that time, well-vascularized granulation tissue completely covered the bone and an autologous skin graft was applied. Punch biopsy results obtained 4 weeks after surgery showed dressing remnants in the dermis and confirmed the graft was totally integrated with the surrounding tissues; there was no evidence of hypertrophy or excessive scarring. In this patient, the staged procedure provided an excellent alternative to a complex surgical procedure. Use of the biological dressing required only a weekly wound and dressing assessment and the cosmetic result was good without evidence of a recurrence at the 2-year follow-up. Studies to ascertain the efficacy and effectiveness of this dressing for the temporary coverage of soft tissue defects are needed.     

Tissue engineered fetal skin constructs for paediatric burns

Autologous skin-grafting is the gold standard for treatment of deep second and third degree burns. Available bioengineered skin products also necessitate this two-step surgical procedure. Therefore, we developed fetal skin constructs to improve healing of such degree burns. A bank of fetal skin cells was developed from one organ donation (4 cm2 of skin allowing the preparation of several million three-dimensional skin constructs, 9x12 cm, on native horse collagen). Successive fetal constructs were applied to eight patients at every change of dressing during 1-3 weeks in an outpatient setting. Complete closure was rapid (mean 15.3 days [SD 5.5]) with little hypertrophy of new skin and no retraction seen. This simple technique provided complete treatment without auto-grafting, showing that fetal skin cells might have great potential to treat burns and eventually acute and chronic wounds of other types.     

Using negative pressure wound therapy following surgery for complex pilonidal disease: a case series

Complex pilonidal disease, an uncommon manifestation of an anorectal condition, is characterized by chronic or recurrent abscesses with extensive, branching sinus tracts. Definitive treatment requires wide excision of all involved tissue followed by secondary intention healing or reconstructive surgery. All treatment options have unique advantages and disadvantages. Following recent reports that negative pressure wound therapy after surgery for complex pilonidal disease may be a useful alternative to moist saline dressing treatments, five patients (three men and two women, median age 21 years [range: 16 to 63 years]) with complex pilonidal disease (symptom duration range 6 months to 30 years) were treated on an outpatient basis. Following wide excision under general anesthesia, a portable negative pressure wound therapy device was applied. Mean wound defect size after excision was 11 cm x 4 cm x 5 cm, or 205 cm(3) (range 90 cm(3) to 410 cm(3)). Negative pressure wound therapy was used for an average of 6 weeks (range 4 to 9 weeks) and mean time to complete epithelialization was 12 weeks (range 9 to 22 weeks), including use of moist saline dressings post negative pressure wound therapy. Treatment was discontinued in one patient due to skin irritation. No other complications were observed. Long-term follow-up is required to assess the risk of recurrent pilonidal disease or wound failure following negative pressure wound therapy. Additional studies of negative pressure wound therapy in the management of pilonidal disease are warranted.     

The use of a negative pressure wound management system in perineal wound closure after extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPE) for low rectal cancer

Background

Perineal wound healing is a significant challenge after extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPE) due to a high rate of wound breakdown. Negative pressure therapy has proven benefits in open wounds, and recently a negative pressure system has been developed for use on closed wounds at high risk of breakdown, such as apronectomy and hysterectomy. The aim of the present study was to determine whether negative pressure therapy applied to closed perineal wounds after ELAPE improved wound healing and compare outcomes to the published literature and outcomes from a historical cohort of patients who had undergone ‘standard’ abdominoperineal resection (APR) and primary closure of the perineal wounds.

Methods

Prospective data on consecutive patients having ELAPE in the period from November 2012 to April 2015 were collected. The pelvic floor defect was reconstructed with biologic mesh. The adipose tissue layer was closed with vicryl sutures, a suction drain was left in the deep layer, the subcuticular layer and skin were closed, and the negative pressure system was applied. Any wound breakdown within the first 30 days postoperatively was recorded.

Results

Of the 32 consecutive ELAPE patients whose perineal wounds were closed within 30 days with the use of the negative pressure system, there was 1 patient with major perineal wound breakdown and 2 patients with a 1 cm superficial wound defect, which needed no further treatment. In the remaining 29 (90 %) patients, the perineal wounds healed fully without complications. Twenty-five patients underwent standard APR in 2010–2011 with primary closure of their perineal wounds. Ten out of 25(40 %) of patients who had undergone standard APR and primary closure of perineal wounds had major wound complications (p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that after ELAPE the application of a negative pressure system to the perineal wound closed with biologic mesh may reduce perineal wound complications and may reduce the need for major perineal reconstruction.

     

Outcomes of subatmospheric pressure dressing therapy on wounds of the diabetic foot

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate outcomes of people with large diabetic foot wounds treated with subatmospheric pressure dressing therapy immediately following surgical wound debridement. Data were abstracted from the medical records of 31 consecutive patients with diabetes, 77.4% male (n = 24), aged 56.1 +/- 11.7 years, presenting for care at two large multidisciplinary wound care centers. All patients received surgical debridement for indolent diabetic foot wounds and were subsequently started on a regimen of subatmospheric pressure dressing therapy delivered using a vacuum-assisted closure device for a mean of 4.7 +/- 4.2 weeks (mode = 2 weeks) using a protocol that called for cessation of therapy when the wound bed approached 100% coverage with granulation tissue with no exposed tendon, joint capsule, or bone. Outcomes evaluated included time to complete wound closure, proportion of patients achieving wound healing at the level of initial debridement, and complications associated with use of the device. The mean duration of wounds before therapy was 25.4 +/- 23.8 weeks. In patients treated with subatmospheric pressure dressing therapy, 90.3% (n = 28) of wounds healed at the level of debridement without the need for further bony resection in a mean 8.1 +/- 5.5 weeks. The remaining 9.7% (n = 3) went on to higher level amputation (below knee amputation = 3.2%, [n = 1] and transmetatarsal amputation = 6.5% [n = 2]). Complications included periwound maceration (19.4% [n = 6]), periwound cellulitis (3.2% [n = 1]), and deep space infection (3.2% [n = 1]). The authors concluded that appropriate use of subatmospheric pressure dressing therapy to achieve a rapid granular bed in diabetic foot wounds may have promise in treatment of this population at high risk for amputation and that a large, randomized trial is now indicated.     

Outcomes of hyaluronan therapy in diabetic foot wounds

The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes of persons with neuropathic diabetic foot wounds treated with a hyaluronan-containing dressing. Data were abstracted for 36 patients with diabetes, 72.2% male, aged 60.0+/-10.7 years and a mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) of 9.5+/-2.5% presenting for care at two large, multidisciplinary wound care centers. All patients received surgical debridement for their diabetic foot wounds and were placed on therapy consisting of hyaluronan dressing (Hyalofill, Convatec, USA) with dressing changes taking place every other day. Outcomes evaluated included time to complete wound closure and proportion of patients achieving wound closure in 20 weeks. Hyalofill therapy was used until the wound bed achieved 100% granulation tissue. Therapy was then followed by a moisture-retentive dressing until complete epithelialization. In total, 75.0% of wounds measuring a mean 2.2+/-2.2 cm(2) healed in the 20-week evaluation period. Of those that healed in this period, healing took place in a mean 10.0+/-4.8 weeks. The average duration of Hyalofill therapy in all patients was 8.6+/-4.2 weeks. Deeper (UT Grade 2A) wounds were over 15 times less likely to heal than superficial (1A) wounds (94.7 vs. 52.9%, Odds Ratio=15.9, 95% Confidence Interval=1.7-142.8, P=0.006). We conclude that a regimen consisting of moist wound healing using hyaluronan-containing dressings may be a useful adjunct to appropriate diabetic foot ulcer care. We await the completion of a multicenter randomized controlled trial in this area to either support or refute this initial assessment.     

Perirectal abscess following procedure for prolapsed haemorrhoids successfully managed with a combination of VAC sponge and Redivac systems

Active drains, which work from negative pressure effect, are commonly used to drain closed airtight wounds. Higher negative pressure is used in vacuum-assisted wound closure (VAC^®) (usually ?125 mmHg) dressings and in Redivac^® system (usually ?300 mmHg). As far as we know, combinations of Redivac^® and VAC^® have not been used. The authors describe a novel combination using the sponge of the VAC^® dressing and sealed Redivac^® system to drain an open rectal wound, consequence of a perforation after stapled haemorrhoidopexy.     

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy With Low Pressure and Gauze Dressings to Treat Diabetic Foot Wounds

This study was a prospective cohort study to evaluate negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with low pressure and a gauze dressing to treat diabetic foot wounds. Thirty patients with diabetic foot wounds were consented to a prospective study to evaluate wound closure and complications to evaluate NPWT with low pressure (80 mmHg) and a gauze dressing interface (EZCare, Smith and Nephew) for up to 5 weeks. NPWT was changed 3 times a week. Study subjects were evaluated once a week for adverse events and wound measurements. Of study subjects, 43% attained at least a 50% wound area reduction after 4 weeks of therapy. Our results suggest that a high rate of wound closure could be expected with low pressure and a gauze interface.     

Vakuumtherapie mit PHMB Gaze zur Behandlung postoperativer subkutaner Bauchdeckeninfektionen

Methods

In a prospective case control study of 16 patients, the healing rate of secondary suturing of subcutaneous wound infections after median laparotomy wounds for colorectal surgery was investigated, whereby the wounds had previously been conditioned using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) gauze.

Results

After opening the infected wound the average wound volume was 203 ml. A débridement of the wounds was carried out to remove necrotic and sloughed tissue then the first NPWT dressing was applied. The NPWT with PHMB gauze could be changed on average every 3 days at the bedside which was possible because the pain level during each dressing change was recorded as an average of 1 on the visual analog scale (VAS). After an average of 3 NPWT dressing changes, the wounds showed no signs of infection and secondary suturing was carried out at the bedside using local anesthesia. For the first 7 patients, subcutaneously placed capillary drainage without suction was used in the wounds (group 1). As the healing rate was low (29?%) subcutaneously placed round channel drainage under suction were used for the next 9 patients (group 2) and the healing rate was 89?% after secondary suture. The average costs for NPWT treatment including labor costs were calculated as 322.20 EUR per patient.

Conclusion

All procedures could be performed at the bedside and all patients were satisfied with the treatment and results. The NPWT therapy with PHMB gauze provides an economic method for lowering the total treatment time and costs as well as unnecessary usage of operating theaters.     

Simplifying modern wound management for nonprofessional caregivers

Nonprofessional caregivers currently are participating in managing pressure ulcers at home. As this can be a stressful experience, innovative and easy-to-use products are needed to support caregiver confidence. A multicenter, randomized clinical trial was conducted to compare clinical performance and case of instruction of a change indicator dressing (SIG) and a hydrocolloid alginate dressing (HAD) in the management of pressure ulcers in the home and long-term care settings. SIG and HAD were randomized to 17 and 18 partial- or full-thickness pressure ulcers respectively. During five dressing changes, wound area, dressing application, maintenance, appearance, removal, wear time, ease of teaching, and caregiver understanding of each dressing's instructions were measured. Both dressings were rated highly regarding ease of teaching, ease of use, appearance, maintenance, and helpfulness in signaling the need for dressing change by both professional and nonprofessional wound caregivers. Average dressing wear time was 3.2 days for SIG and 2.7 days for HAD. Of these wounds managed in a moist environment, 6 of 17 (35%) subjects whose wounds were dressed with SIG, and 1 of 18 (6%) dressed with HAD healed during the course of the study (alpha < 0.04). Percent wound reduction in area per day of care was also greater for SIG (alpha < 0.01). Innovative dressings may help caregivers provide consistent quality pressure ulcer care and improve wound-healing outcomes.     

Spontaneous anorectal pressure activity. Evidence of internal anal sphincter contractions in response to rectal pressure waves

To characterize spontaneous anorectal pressure activity and a possible relation between the activity in the rectum and the anal canal, 11 healthy female volunteers were investigated. Resting activities were obtained during 1-h recordings with a multi-channel perfused catheter measuring the pressure 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8 cm from the anal verge. In five subjects sequences of rhythmic rectal pressure waves with amplitudes exceeding the maximal anal resting pressure coincided with a similar internal anal sphincter activity, preventing rectal pressure from exceeding the anal pressure at any point. The mean frequency was 5 x min-1 (range, 3-6 x min-1). This may well be a reflex mechanism by which the internal anal sphincter prevents incontinence in the resting state. Low-frequency pressure waves, not previously described, were detected in four women. These pressure waves were attributed to the internal anal sphincter and were named ultra-slow waves type II. The mean frequency and amplitude were 0.16 x min-1 (range, 0.15-0.17 x min-1) and 24 cm H2O (range, 11-41 cm H2O), respectively. The function of these pressure waves is unknown.     

Negative pressure wound therapy in the adjunctive management of necrotizing fascitis: examining clinical outcomes

Prompt diagnosis and treatment of necrotizing fascitis reduces the morbidity and mortality rates of this devastating disease. To examine the clinical outcomes of using negative pressure wound therapy in the adjunctive management of wounds secondary to necrotizing fascitis, a retrospective review of medical records was conducted. Participants included 11 consecutive patients (16 wounds) with a diagnosis of necrotizing fascitis admitted to a teaching hospital between 2000 and 2005 and treated on an inpatient basis with negative pressure wound therapy. The patients included seven men, four women (average age 54 years; range 18 to 82 years). Variables abstracted from the medical records and consultation notes included: demographic information, tissue and blood bacteriological data, wound history, wound healing outcomes, duration of negative pressure wound therapy, length of hospital stay, and mortality and morbidity information. Variables were entered into an electronic database and analyzed. Operative tissue biopsies were obtained and all participants received serial surgical debridements as well as infection, nutrition, and hemodynamic support. Negative pressure wound therapy was applied to the wound(s) at 125 mm Hg continuous negative pressure until reconstructive closure could be performed. Most wounds (10) were on lower extremities, seven patients presented with sepsis, and beta-hemolytic Streptococcus was identified in nine wounds. Mean number of negative pressure wound therapy treatment days was 25 (range: 7 to 74), mean length of stay was 67 days (range: 21 to 186). All wounds were successfully closed--73% received split-thickness skin grafts, 27% required flaps, 100% limb salvage was achieved, and all patients survived. No negative pressure wound therapy or dressing-associated complications were observed. Negative pressure wound therapy was found to be a viable adjunctive treatment in the management of wounds associated with necrotizing fascitis.     

A Mechanically Powered Negative Pressure Device Used in Conjunction with a Bioengineered Cell-based Product for the Treatment of Pyoderma Gangrenosum: A Case Report

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG), an uncommon inflammatory and ulcerative skin disease, typically is treated medically with a combination of immunosuppression and local wound care, but evidence to guide care is limited. PG wounds can be difficult to heal. A 76-year-old male patient presented with a history of rheumatoid arthritis and recalcitrant PG. After 9 months of treatment with local wound care, steroids, and topical tacrolimus, the wound had increased in size from 1.8 cm x 1.5 cm to 7.2 cm x 5.6 cm. At that time, he was started on a regimen of five applications of a bioengineered cell- based product (one application every 2 weeks for a total of five applications) with twice-weekly mechanically powered negative pressure device changes. The latter was started at 75 mm Hg and changed to 125 mm Hg after 4 weeks. Oral corticosteroid therapy was initially started at 40 mg of prednisone, then slowly tapered to 20 mg, but could not be com- pletely discontinued due to a flare in the patient's rheumatoid symptoms. The wound was completely healed after 16 weeks. Research to ascertain the effectiveness of protocols of PG care, including the combination treatment described, is needed to help clinicians provide evidence-based care for these challenging wounds.     

双套管冲洗负压吸引技术在Ⅲ级糖尿病足患者伤口的应用

目的了解双套管冲洗负压吸引技术在Ⅲ级糖尿病足患者中应用的可行性。方法2011年1月至2012年2月,选取在我科住院确诊的Ⅲ级糖尿病足患者（均为单足）共36例,其中男15例、女21例,按随机数字表法分为试验组17例,年龄（63±8）岁;对照组19例,年龄（65±6）岁。对照组实施脓肿切开引流术后常规换药,试验组实施脓肿切开引流术后置人双套管持续冲洗吸引,至引流液澄清拔除双套管,采用常规换药,观察两组患者创面愈合情况。统计学分析采用卡方检验和t检验。结果试验组17例患者中,14例完全愈合,3例明显好转,治愈率达82．4％。对照组19例有8例治愈,8例好转,治愈率42．1％,差异有统计学意义（x^2=6．12,P〈0．05）。对照组3例经1个月换药等综合治疗后未见明显好转,其中包括2例在治疗期间病情恶化经截肢术处理。试验组患者创面愈合时间（20±3）d,对照组为（29±4）d,差异有统计学意义（t=6．5,P〈0．001）。结论双套管冲洗负压吸引技术可促进Ⅲ级糖尿病足患者伤口的愈合,减轻患者疼痛,并减少截肢的发生。